A rare Georgian breast badge of a Companion of St Michael and St George

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s breast badge, gold and enamels, circa 1818-20, with crown added circa 1840, 55mm x 37mm including integral suspension loop, with wide gold suspension bar and gold ribbon buckle, in its R. & S. Garrard & Co. fitted case of issue, some very minor chips to obverse centre, otherwise all in perfect condition, extremely fine and extremely rare £4000-5000

The Companion’s badges as issued from 1818 did not, through some oversight, have crown suspensions. It was not until 1832 onwards that badges were officially adapted with the addition of a crown as and when they were returned from deceased holders of the order. All insignia at this time was returnable upon death. A badge of this first type without a crown is an even greater rarity, only one or two being known to exist. In addition to the Sovereign and the Grand Master, the Order at this time was limited to just 44 members, consisting of eight Knights Grand Cross (G.C.M.G.), twelve Knights Commander (K.C.M.G.) and twenty-four Companions (C.M.G.), the great majority of the members coming from the Ionian Islands and Malta.